Enjoying IEC by Mary Mannhardt

I’m Mary Mannhardt and I have been working at IEC for the past two months. I have enjoyed learning the many facets of this job including advocacy, peer counseling, and providing consumers with information on community resources. My background includes working in the mental health arena as both a public speaker and an individual counselor for women with eating disorders and depression.

I have been a paraplegic for 24 years and have grappled with the many challenges that come with having a disability. I am eager to share with our consumers the knowledge I have gained from both my professional work in counseling and my individual experiences of being disabled. I am excited about the work that IEC is doing in the community and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities to make a difference in the world around me by being an Independent Living Advocate.

from Spring 2006 Newsletter

by Mary Mannhardt